The coldest spot in England overnight was Woodford, Greater Manchester, which reached -16.4C (2.5F). Benson was not quite as cold, at -10C (14F), due to cloud cover and an increasing breeze.

The lowest recorded overnight temperature in Wales was -14.5C (5.9F) at Sennybridge, near Brecon; while in Northern Ireland Lough Fea in County Tyrone, reached -11C (12.2F).

Central London was the warmest mainland temperature, only reaching -1.2C (29.8F). St Mary's in the Scilly Isles only went down to a balmy 3C (37.4F).

Charles Powell, a Met Office forecaster, said an ice alert remained in place for the whole country, while more snow and biting winds were expected for the weekend.

He said of Friday's weather prospects: "It's another cold day in store, and temperatures will struggle to top above zero in most places.

"There's also a chance of snow showers in North East England and parts of East Anglia."

A freshening north east wind will make it feel four of five degrees Celsius colder than themermometer readings in the south and east, he added.

Over the weekend that wind is expected to spread across the UK, while an area of "light but persistent" snow is forecast to head to Britain from the continent, giving between half an inch and two inches (1-5cm) of fresh accumulations.

However, Mr Powell added: "There's a risk there could be significantly more over higher ground."

The remorseless cold weather has created new havoc with dozens of big companies having their gas rationed after domestic demand soared to record levels, and warnings that many grit stocks are reaching crisis point.

At least 22 people have died since the cold spell began before Christmas in weather-related incidents.

On Thursday, the body of 45-year-old darts fan Philip Hughes, from Slough, was recovered from beneath ice in a frozen lake in Surrey. He had been watching the BDO darts world championships at Frimley Green.